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Public charter schools are unique public schools that foster innovative approaches to solving some of today's most difficult educational challenges. Free from many of the constraints that traditional schools face, the charter school movement has been a leader in innovation, school choice, and education reform for more than 25 years. At the same time, charter schools are held accountable for advancing student achievement by the communities and states they serve. The unique combination of innovation and accountability have allowed charter schools to demonstrate that all children are capable of academic achievement that prepares them to succeed in college, their career, and their life. Because charter schools have a successful track record of meeting students' specific needs, parental demand for them remains high. In fact, a 2016 survey commissioned by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools shows that 78 percent of parents support a new charter school opening in their neighborhood. This report identifies communities that have the highest percentage and the highest number of students enrolled in charter schools. The National Alliance collected public school enrollment data from 2017-18 to identify communities across the country where the highest proportions of students were enrolled in charter schools. To calculate these proportions, charter schools were mapped to geographic school district boundaries based on their address. This report compares the enrollment of charter schools located within geographic school district boundaries with district-run schools in the same area, resulting in "enrollment share." [For "A Growing Movement: America's Largest Public Charter School Communities. Twelfth Annual Edition," see ED581544.]

Unified enrollment systems have become increasingly popular because they facilitate public school choice, streamline burdensome application processes, and ideally increase equity, but there are pros and cons to these systems for charter schools and in general. Our report, "Unified Enrollment: Lessons Learned from Across the Country," provides an overview of how these systems have been designed and implemented in six public school districts and reviews the available outcome related research.

Public charter schools are unique public schools that are allowed the freedom to be innovative while being held accountable for advancing student achievement. Over the past ten years, enrollment in charter schools has nearly tripled--from 1.2 million students in 2006-07 to more than 3 million students in 2016-17. The number of school districts with a significant charter school presence continues to grow. In 2016-17, 19 districts had 30 percent or more of their students enrolled in charter schools, and 208 districts had at least 10 percent of their students enrolled in charter schools. In 2016-17, nearly 10 million public school students, or one in five, attended school in a district with at least 10,000 students in which 10 percent or more were enrolled in charter schools. This report identifies communities that have the highest percentage and the highest number of students enrolled in charter schools. When families have public school choice, they increasingly select charter schools over district-run schools. In fact, a recent survey by Phi Delta Kappan (PDK) found that 17 percent of parents would send their child to a charter school if location and capacity were not an issue--meaning that the potential number of charter school students is nearly 9 million. In addition, a 2016 survey commissioned by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) shows that 78 percent of parents would support a new charter school opening in their neighborhood. The National Alliance collected public school enrollment data for the 2016-17 school year to identify communities across the country where the highest proportions of students were enrolled in charter schools. To calculate these proportions, charter schools were mapped to geographic school district boundaries based on their address. This report compares the enrollment of charter schools located within geographic school district boundaries with district-run schools in the same area--resulting in "enrollment share."

The information contained in this report is based on data collected from the Charter School Facilities Survey in Louisiana during the 2017-18 school year. The Charter School Facilities Survey consists of 55 base questions which are used in every participating state, with an option for participating states to include 15 additional state-specific questions that capture the local charter school facilities context. The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools (LAPCS) added 15 additional custom questions on facilities issues specific to Louisiana. Topics addressed in the survey include the following: waiting lists and future facility plans; facility ownership and co-location; facility amenities and instructional spaces; facility condition and security; and facility funding and expenditures. The Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI) team identified 146 brick and mortar Louisiana charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in the survey. The survey was sent electronically to the school leaders at all eligible charter schools. Survey data was collected between March and April of 2018. School leaders at 103 eligible charter school facilities completed the Charter School Facilities survey. In addition to the data collected in the survey, the League also collected additional data on school enrollment, student demographics, and school funding from the Louisiana Department of Education. Key findings include: (1) Charter schools in the Orleans Parish operate more frequently in district facilities than charter schools outside of the Orleans Parish; (2) Charter schools that operate in district facilities pay less for rent than schools that operate in facilities owned by other types of organizations; (3) Many Louisiana charter schools lack the technology, facility amenities, and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational program; (4) Charter schools in Louisiana are planning on increasing student enrollment over the next five years, but over half of these charter schools do not have adequate space in their current facility for additional students; and (5) There are underutilized or vacant district facilities throughout Louisiana. From a legislative priority perspective, there are several possible solutions Louisiana may consider adopting to help mitigate the facilities challenges that exist in many parishes: (1) Fund the Charter School Start-Up Fund or create a state grant or loan program for charter school facilities: (2) Pass a requirement for districts to provide school district space or funding to charter schools if the majority of that school's students reside in that district; (3) Create a per-pupil facilities allowance that annually reflects average district capital costs; (4) Pledging the moral obligation of the state to help charter schools obtain more favorable bond financing terms. [This report was prepared on behalf of the Louisiana Association for Public Charter Schools.]

Charter schools operate under an independent contract with an authorizer, which allows the school to operate with autonomy related to curriculum, staff, and budget. During the 2017-18 school year, charter schools across the United States served more than 3 million students, accounting for approximately 6 percent of all K-12 public school students. Nationwide, there has been increasing demand and need for charter schools, yet access to adequate school facilities is a continued barrier to the growth of the charter school sector. Public charter schools often do not have equal access to adequate facilities. As a result, charter schools often operate in non-traditional spaces, such as strip malls, churches, or converted buildings, which place constraints on instructional practices. Since these non-traditional spaces are not equipped to function as a school, charter schools must spend additional funding on facilities in order to renovate an existing building or build a facility to meet the needs of their students. In order to help states advocate for equal facilities and funding access, there is a need for additional research to collect data on state-specifc facilities challenges. In the spring of 2018, the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC), and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (National Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Oklahoma. The information contained in this report is based on data collected from the Charter School Facilities Survey in Oklahoma for the 2017-18 school year. Key findings from this report include the following: (1) Charter school demand is high in Oklahoma and schools will need assistance with securing larger facilities to meet their growth projections; (2) Oklahoma charter schools spent, on average, $222 per pupil annually on facilities and this spending varied across different ownership types; (3) Although co-location presents challenges for Oklahoma charter schools, they still would consider co-location in an underutilized district facility if given the option; (4) Half of Oklahoma charter schools lack the facility amenities and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational program; and (5) Oklahoma charter schools require additional resources to improve the safety of their facility and had facility-related concerns about the learning environment. [This report was produced with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center.]

In the Spring of 2017, the National Charter School Resource Center, (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League) and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Colorado. The data collection in Colorado was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country. Colorado was first surveyed for the CSFI project during the 2007-08 school year. The current 2016-17 survey is intended to, in part, shed light on recent changes in the state's charter sector. The information contained in this report is based on the Charter School Facilities Survey and enrollment data collected for the 2016-17 school year. In addition, current findings with those from the prior state survey conducted in 2007-08 were compared. The policy conclusions are based on the charter school facility landscape in Colorado, the national facility landscape, and the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, and the Alliance. In 2016-17, Colorado charter schools served over 114,0004 students -- or nearly 13 percent of the roughly 905,000 public school students statewide. In 2016-17, 38 percent of Colorado charter school students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, as compared to 44 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools across the state. Charter schools in Colorado serve a diverse student population -- 47 percent of students enrolled in charter schools in 2016-17 were students of color, as compared to approximately 46 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools. Key findings include the following: (1) Colorado charter schools spend operating dollars on facilities and this spending varies across different ownership situations; (2) Colorado's charter sector is poised for continued growth, but state facility funding is not keeping pace with rising enrollment and real estate costs; (3) Facility costs for Colorado charter schools are increasing; (4) More districts in Colorado are sharing bond revenue with their authorized charter schools, but charter schools continue to lack access to state grant funding; (5) Many Colorado charter schools continue to lack the facility amenities, technology, and specialized instructional spaces they require to best implement their educational programs; (6) Physical education and recreational options may be limited for Colorado charter school students; and (7) Serving meals can be a challenge for many Colorado charter schools. The Charter School Facilities Survey found that Colorado charter schools face challenges in obtaining equitable access to facilities and facilities funding. The Conclusions section further expands on the policy solutions that can be utilized to address the facilities challenges of Colorado's charter schools.

In the spring of 2017, the National Charter School Resource Center (NSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NHAPCS) and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of New Hampshire. The data collection in New Hampshire was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country.The CSFI team identified 24 brick and mortar New Hampshire charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in this project. All 24 eligible charter school facilities completed the Charter School Facilities Survey. The survey methodology used for the report was designed to address New Hampshire-specific facility and policy related issues, including: shared use information, facility amenities, ownership, financing, grade levels, and waiting lists. The information contained in this report is based on the Charter School Facilities Survey and enrollment data collected for the 2016-17 school year. The policy conclusions are based on school facility landscape in New Hampshire, the national facility landscape, the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, NHAPCS, and the Alliance. In 2016-17, New Hampshire charter schools served over 3,000 students -- or nearly 2 percent of the roughly 180,000 public school students statewide. In 2016-17, 17 percent of New Hampshire charter school students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, as compared to 27 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools across the state. Charter schools in the state serve a relatively diverse student population -- 17 percent of students enrolled in charter schools in 2016-17 were students of color, as compared to approximately 14 percent of students enrolled in traditional public schools. Key findings include: (1) New Hampshire charter schools spend operating dollars on facilities and this spending varies across different ownership situations; (2) New Hampshire charter schools have limited access to state and local facilities funding; (3) The majority of New Hampshire charter schools are lacking the amenities and specialized instructional spaces required to best implement their educational programs; (4) New Hampshire charter schools have limited access to space in vacant or underutilized district facilities; and (5) Physical education and recreational options may be limited for New Hampshire charter school students. The Charter School Facilities Survey found that New Hampshire charter schools face challenges in obtaining equitable access to facilities and facilities funding. While funding challenges in the state have been apparent for some time, this analysis of charter school facilities expenses and conditions reveals the concrete impacts of this persistent funding gap on facility quality and affordability. [This report was also produced by the New Hampshire Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NHAPCS).]

In the spring of 2016, the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the Delaware Charter Schools Network (DCSN), and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Delaware. The data collection in Delaware was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country. The CSFI team identified 28 brick and mortar Delaware charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in this project. All 28 eligible charter school facilities completed the Charter School Facilities Survey. The survey methodology used for the report was designed to address Delaware specific facility and policy related issues, including: shared use information, facility amenities, ownership, financing, grade levels and waiting lists. For more information on survey methodology please see Appendix A. The information contained in this report is based on the Charter School Facilities Survey and enrollment data collected for the 2015-16 school year. The policy conclusions are based on the charter school facility landscape in Delaware, the national facility landscape, and the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, DCSN, and the Alliance. In 2015-16, Delaware charter schools served over 14,000 students--or 10.4 percent of the roughly 136,000 public school students statewide. In 2015-16, 31 percent of Delaware charter school students were economically disadvantaged and 58 percent belonged to a minority group.

In 2016, the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools (NMCCS), and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The data collection in Albuquerque was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country. The Charter School Facilities Initiative team identified 50 brick and mortar Albuquerque charter school facilities that were eligible to participate in this project. Seventy-eight percent (78%) of eligible charter school facilities (39 out of 50) completed the Charter School Facilities Survey. The survey methodology used for this report was designed to address Albuquerque-specific charter school facility and policy related issues, including shared use information, facility amenities, ownership, financing, grade levels and waiting lists. One appendix is included.

In the spring of 2015, the National Charter School Resource Center (NCSRC), the Colorado League of Charter Schools (the League), the Ohio Alliance for Public Charter Schools (OAPCS), and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (the Alliance) collaborated to collect data and information about charter school facilities and facilities expenditures in the state of Ohio. The data collection in Ohio was supported by the Charter School Facilities Initiative (CSFI), which is a national project developed by the League to research charter school facilities and facilities expenditures across the country. The information contained in this report is based on survey, measurement, and enrollment data collected for the 2014-15 school year. The initial identification of survey participants, data collection via on-site building visits and online surveys, data analysis and report production covered a period of approximately 14 months. The policy conclusions are based on the charter school facility landscape in Ohio, the national facility landscape, and the collective expertise of the NCSRC, the League, OAPCS, and the Alliance. All results presented in this report are from the 81 percent (277) of Ohio's 343 brick and mortar charter school facilities that participated in this initiative in 2014-15. For additional information on survey participation please see Appendix A. The sample of brick and mortar charter schools is representative of the state in terms of region, school type, and management type. Academic performance data was not collected as part of this project. Therefore, an analysis between facility quality, amenities and academic performance was not within the scope of this research and report. In Ohio, site-based public charter schools, commonly called brick and mortar schools, are those in which students physically attend classes. Site-based public charter schools can be general or special education and/or dropout prevention and recovery schools. According to the Ohio Department of Education's Annual Community Schools Report, approximately 94 percent of charter schools in Ohio were site-based. The facility needs, enrollment size, and learning environment for charter schools are often based on the focus area and school type. According to Ohio Department of Education's Fall Enrollment Data, Ohio's public charter schools served nearly 125,000 students--or approximately 7 percent of all public school students statewide.